Fiber Optic Cable Installations in Gas Mains: Report on a Gas Technology Institute Demonstration Project

摘要

The telecommunications industry is rapidly expanding the installation and use of fiber opticrncable systems to provide customers with high speed communications channels. Thernmissing piece that is thwarting the completion of many fiber links to customers is the “lastrnmile” connection.rnThe natural gas industry continues to undergo a transformation with the advent ofrnderegulation and competition. As the result of these changes, gas companies arernbeginning to recognize that they have a new opportunity to increase revenues as thernowners of the gas distribution lines, which can double as the “last mile” access to the veryrncustomers the telecommunications industry are seeking.rnThis paper discusses four fiber optics systems, from around the world, that are beingrninstalled and operated within live gas mains and services.